Black Thought Interview

The Top 11 Tonight Show Moments Of All Time, As Picked By Black Thought

It hasn’t even been two full years since Jimmy Fallon has been starring as The Tonight Show host but there’s already been so many LOL moments. From lip sync battles, to Footloose, to J-Lo’s tight pants… it’s one thing to watch them at home as a fan but it’s another thing altogether to experience them live on the set. The Roots are the Grammy-award winning house band that spends every night with Fallon and we wanted to get their perspective on their favorite memories and get the inside story.

We caught up with Black Thought, the lead vocalist of The Roots, after the band’s performance at the Lipton Be More Tea Festival to chat about his favorite Jimmy Fallon Tonight Show moments.

U2 Top Of The Rock

On Jimmy Fallon’s first episode hosting the Tonight Show, U2 was the musical guest and they performed at the Top of the Rock. “I really enjoyed the first episode that went to air with the U2 performance on the top of the Rockefeller Plaza,” says Black Thought. “That was pretty amazing. I’m most blown away by the musical guests and the caliber of artists we’re able to book.”

Empire Parody

Fallon recently parodied FOX’s hit show Empire with his own version called Jimpire, which was a big hit. “I really enjoyed the Empire parody that aired not too long ago,” says Black Thought. “I think that was cool. It’s always fun when we get to spoof a TV show. Jimmy really comes to life in those characters.”

Remaking Fresh Prince Intro

“Remaking the Fresh Prince opening was a lot of fun. We actually work with Jazzy Jeff quite often,” says Black Thought, who has been a big fan of the duo even before their successful TV show. “I’ve got the chance to interact with Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith a couple of times a year — enough that I’m not star struck anymore. I feel like we’re peers and pals at this point. Doing the dance with Alfonso Ribeiro — The Carlton — that was a great moment too.”

Will Smith -- History of Hip-Hop Dancing

With Black Thought being a part of a hip-hop band that has a place in hip-hop lore, it’s not surprising that one of his favorite skits was the history of hip-hop dancing. “I love the history of hip-hop dancing. I think the fans of Will Smith — the mega film star — don’t necessarily remember his days as a dancer,” tells Black Thought. “Even before the days of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, it was Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince. I’ve always really known him as a really good dancer but when he came on the show and rocked out with Jimmy, it was a surprise for lots of people.”

First Lady -- Evolution Of Mom Dancing

“Will Smith rocked it out but I have to be honest and say that the first lady really one-upped him,” adds Black Thought. “Michelle Obama came on and did the Evolution of Mom Dancing and when she came on to dance with Jimmy… I don’t think there’s much that can top that. That was enjoyable.”

Lip Sync Battles -- Kevin Hart/Will Ferrell

Fallon’s lip sync battles have become such a hit that some people feel Spike’s TV show was born from it. From Emma Stone to Ellen, there have been a lot of classics but two in particular stand out for The Roots lead vocalist. “Hands down, the funniest one was Kevin Hart-Will Ferrell when we were out in Arizona for the Super Bowl,” reveals Black Thought. “I was in tears watching that lip sync battle. It’s just as entertaining for us as it is for the people at home. None of that stuff is scripted, so those lip sync battles create a lot of laugh out loud moments. And Jimmy is super competitive, so he’s really rising to the occasion because he definitely doesn’t want to lose.”

Daniel Radcliffe - Alphabet Aerobics

We all figured Radcliffe was just a quiet, unassuming personality as he plays in Harry Potter, but many of us were stunned when he whipped out a perfect rendition of Blackalicious’ Alphabet Aerobics. “I was surprised at how nice he was”, says Black Thought. “He was swift with the tongue, you know? I was definitely surprised.”

Classroom Instruments With Mariah Carey

“The performances that we do in the room with the kids instruments…that might be some of my favorite stuff,” suggests Black Thought. “The one we did with Mariah Carey, Madonna, Idina Menzel, the one with Sesame Street…I love those.”

Good Burger

It’s not often the house band gets into the acting skits but Black Thought recently had a small part in the classic reunion of Keenan and Kel for the Good Burger skit. “It’s really fun for me to do anything on the show that’s outside of music; I get to use a different muscle, so to speak,” offers Black Thought. “I don’t know how much of my acting came through in that sketch but it was fun. To bring in Kenan and Kel — they’re comedic forces to be reckoned with — and get them in their element, it was great.”

Ragtime Gals: Bitch Better Have My Money

“I think every song that the barbershop quartet does is amazing. The songs are well-selected and they play out perfectly,” says Black Thought. “'The Remix To Ignition' was great but the one we did recently, Rihanna’s ‘Bitch Better Have My Money’…that one was hilarious.”

Morgan Freeman Helium

Fallon does a great job of presenting a different side of actors and personalities, and it’s one of the things that’s really stood out for The Roots as they watch from the side. “It’s really interesting to see actors like Freeman and De Niro and other actors of such a high caliber just cut loose and be totally uninhibited,” says Black Thought. “I’m often surprised with what the actors will agree to do on the show. I’m always taken aback when they get the serious, dramatic actors to come on and act a fool. From the band side of the Tonight Show, I’m lucky as I get to see many theatrical icons, actors and actresses that I’ve looked up at, and I get to see a different side of them that I never knew existed.”